Sol-gel auto-combustion synthesis of dysprosium titanate nanoparticles using tyrosine as a novel fuel

摘要

A new way of preparing dysprosium titanate (Dy_2Ti_2O_7) nanoparticles has been developed using the sol-gel auto-combustion route, with the aid of dysprosium nitrate, tetra-n-butyl titanate (TNBT) and tyrosine. Tyrosine plays role as fuel, capping agent, and reducing in the synthesis of Dy_2Ti_2O_7 nanoparticles. The formation of pure crystallized Dy_2Ti_2O_7 nanocrystals occurred when the precursor was heat-treated at 800 : in air for 2 h. The structural, morphological and optical properties of as-obtained products were characterized by techniques such as XRD, EDS, SEM, and UV-visible. The magnetic properties of as-prepared dysprosium titanate nanoparticles were also investigated with vibrating sample magnetometer. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties of as-synthesized Dy_2Ti_2O_7 were evaluated by degradation of methyl orange as water contaminant.